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View Full Version : Army Soldier, Staff Sgt. James R. Stright, killed in Helicopter crash

Stras
10-25-2009, 13:50
Name has now been released by USASOC.


http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=56371

1 Dead, 8 Wounded in Army-Navy Exercise
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2009 – One military member was killed and eight were injured last night after an Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed into a Navy ship off the coast of Fort Story, Va., just north of Virginia Beach.

The crash occurred on the flight deck of the USNS Arctic around 8 p.m., and involved the Army helicopter and members of an East Coast-based naval special warfare unit, according to a statement released by the Navy’s Fleet Forces Command.

Another Army Black Hawk flew the injured servicemembers to a Norfolk, Va., hospital for treatment, the release said. The USNS Arctic returned to Naval Station Norfolk with the damaged helicopter on board.

Both Fleet Forces Command and officials from the U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C., declined to comment further on specifics about the crash.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation. More information about the soldiers involved may be available as early as today, an Army spokesman at Fort Bragg told American Forces Press Service.
SF_BHT
10-25-2009, 14:04
They just posted the release.

http://news.soc.mil/releases/News%20Archive/2009/October/091025-01.html
Stras
10-25-2009, 14:12
AP news
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091023/ap_on_re_us/us_helicopter_crash_navy_ship

1 dead, 8 injured in helicopter crash on Navy ship
Fri Oct 23, 12:24 pm ET
NORFOLK, Va. – An Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed on a Navy ship during training, killing one service member and injuring eight, the Navy said.

Service members were rappelling down a rope from the helicopter to the USNS Arctic around 8 p.m. Thursday off the Virginia coast near Fort Story when the crash happened, Navy spokeswoman Lt. J. G. Megan Issac said.

The helicopter crashed into the ship's stern and ended up on its side, Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby, commander of the Military Sealift Command, said at a news conference Friday morning at Naval Station Norfolk. A small fire on the ship's deck was quickly extinguished.

The cause of the crash was being investigated.

A second helicopter took the injured people to a hospital for treatment. None had life threatening injuries, Issac said.

Names of the dead and injured and their service affiliations were not immediately released.

"We deeply regret that it occurred, but unfortunately, it is part of the business we do at sea," Buzby said.

Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Phil Rosi said the training exercise involved the two Army helicopters and members of a Naval Special Warfare unit.

"It was a routine visit, board, search and seizure exercise that takes place between Army and Navy units on a fairly regular basis," Buzby said, adding that ships like the Arctic are used because they are similar to merchant ships.

The exercise trains the service members on how to quickly board a ship that might be threatened by pirates or terrorists, for instance, Buzby said.

The Arctic has returned to Naval Station Norfolk, and the damaged helicopter remained aboard the ship.

The Arctic was damaged and will be repaired quickly. Its deck had superficial damage where the helicopter landed, but the ship's propulsion was not affected.

Officials said the Arctic has no official home port but frequents naval stations in Norfolk and Earle, N.J.
Red Flag 1
10-25-2009, 14:19
Rest In Peace SSGT Stright!!

Thank you for your service, and your sacrifice!!

Prayers out!!
FMF DOC
10-25-2009, 15:54
RIP Night Stalker
Goggles Pizano
10-25-2009, 16:13
In pace requiescat SSG Stright.
Tatonka316
10-25-2009, 18:14
Rest in peace, SSG. Thank you for your service to our country. You will always be missed and NEVER forgotten.

molon labe
Richard
10-25-2009, 18:31
Pretty big MFer - nice helo deck on the stern - ouch!

http://navysite.de/ships/aoe8.htm

RIP, soldier.

Richard
jbour13
10-25-2009, 21:46
RIP Nightstalker
LongWire
10-25-2009, 23:02
RIP Nightstalker.............
JJ_BPK
10-26-2009, 03:49
RIP Warrior, Vaya con Dios..
Stingray
10-26-2009, 05:58
Rest in Peace Nightstalker. Thank you for your service.
Rogue
10-26-2009, 07:09
Rest in Peace
Abu Jack
10-26-2009, 09:03
Rest In Peace
LarryW
10-26-2009, 09:18
God grant you peace and honor, and console your family. RIP.
greenberetTFS
10-26-2009, 12:27
Rest in Peace, Warrior ..................:(

Big Teddy :munchin
XJWoody
10-29-2009, 04:18
RIP Nightstalkers

There was another incident after the one referenced above, with a similar outcome. :(

My brother in law is a CW4 blackhawk pilot with that company, so this hits real close to home. He's over 20yrs TIS, but doesn't want to hang up his helmet just yet. He's really humble about his job though ("I'm just a taxi driver, who goes to some shitty neighborhoods...")

Thanks to all you warriors for your service and dedication.
Enigma0122
10-30-2009, 08:03
Rest in Peace Warrior.
wet dog
10-30-2009, 08:33
Rest in Peace Warrior